Tomato Grand Challenge for development of Comprehensive and focused intervention in design of tomato value chain: Pre-production, Primary Processing, Post-Harvest, Storage and Valorization of Tomato.
Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution monitors the prices of 22 essential food commodities and recommend interventions to stabilize the volatility in prices.
India is the second largest producer of Tomatoes in the world and studies estimates that about 20-22% of fresh tomatoes and 5% of processed tomatoes are wasted every year. Further, tomato are highly susceptible to price volatility as slight disruptions in supply chain or damage due to heavy rains leads to spike in prices. Due to its importance in horticulture production and consumptions in the country, demand and supply situation often brings large variation in the prices. As majority of the harvesting is done during December to March months the tomato prices tend to be lower and generally increases during the July-November months in the normal production year. Glut in the production of tomato at local levels are also common phenomenon in country. Conversely, bulk arrival and logistics problems have the potential of creating a situation of glut in the market and dip in prices. Tomato
is an essential vegetable used in Indian households across the country due to which it has become one of the largely cultivated commercial crop among the farmers. The main constituents of tomato is vitamin C, Potassium, Folate and Vitamin K which not only provides important nutrients but also have unique taste, aroma and texture.Who Can Participate in Tomato Grand Challenge
Track 1
- Students(Diploma/UG/PG)
- Research scholars (JRF, SRF, Scientist, Research/Project Associate etc.)
- Faculties
TRACK 2
- Indian Companies
- Startups (Registered/Not registered)
- MSMEs/LLPs
- Professionals
Verticals of Grand Challenge
Vertical 1
Developing and popularizing improved varieties, cultivation technology or practices suiting to processing and improved varieties and for enhanced fruit shelf life (the list of tomato variety released by ICAR-IIHR is at Annexure), and mechanization in production.
Vertical 2
Designing and Disseminating information system pertaining to crop planning, market intelligence for farmer – trader/customer interface, production practices etc. (Remote Sensing, Artificial Intelligences, App based, so on)
Vertical 3
Innovative packaging, treatments and value additions to avoid handling losses, and suitable transportation system.
Vertical 4
Innovative storage technologies and solutions for longer preservation and so on to reduce panic selling due to perishability
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